Brake.



No. 959,997. Patented Oct. 16, 1900.

M. ALTMEYEBI.

BRAKE.

(Application filed Apr. 16, 1900.)

(N 0 M o (1 e1.)

lNVE/VTOR inn ans MATHIAS ALTMEYER, OF WI-IEELING, WEST VIRGINIA, ASSIGN OR OF ONE- I-IALF TO FLORENTZ FREISMUTH AND JOHN F. HEIL, OF SAME PLACE.

BRAKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 659,997, dated October 16, 1900.

Application i'iled April 16, 1900. Serial No. 13,022. (No model.)

To (bZZ whom it may concern:-

Be it known that I, MATHIAs ALTMEYER, a citizen of the United States,residing at l/Vheeling, in the county of Ohio and State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Brakes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

My invention is an improved brake for carriages, wagons, bicycles, and other vehicles; and it consists in certain novel features hereinafter first fully described and then particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which fully illustrate my invention, Figure 1 is a perspective View of my improved brake. Fig. 2 is an end view of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the brake in operative position on an axle carrying a hub, and Fig. 4 is a View of a modification.

The hub A of the wheel may be of any desired construction and revolves freely on the spindle at the end of the axle B. The axle is angular in cross-section, and upon'the axle, adjacent to the end of the hub, is mounted a disk or bearing-plate O, as shown. This disk is approximately of the same diameter as the end of the hub, so as to fit closely within a friction band or ring D, projecting inward from the end of the hub, this close fit serving to keep dust and sand away from the axle spindle and bearing. While the disk may fit directly against the friction-band, it has been found advantageous to provide the inner face of the band with a bushing E. Then the bushing becomes worn through use of the brake, it may be removed and a new one substituted without necessitating the provision of a new band, thereby avoiding the disassembling and consequent reassembling of the h ub. Pivotally secured on the outer side of this disk or bearing-plate O are the dogs, pawls, or friction-brake shoes F, the free ends of which bear against a cam G, formed on the end of a rock-shaft H, which is journaled in the disk and adapted to be oscillated by means of a crank-arm I, connected with a brake-le ver at the front end of the vehicle in the usual manner. The free ends of the dogs are ex panded at right angles, so as to present the extended bearing-surfaces J for he operating-cam and the shoulders K, against which are engaged the ends of a spring-band L. This band L is a circular spring extending around the outer edges of the dogs or pawls and filling the space between the same and the bushing E or the friction-band. The tension or resiliency of the spring-band tends to throw the ends of the dogs toward each other, so that there is no braking action on the hub. hen the operating-cam, however, is rotated, the ends of the dogs are forced apart, and the spring-band is consequently spread outward against the friction-band, so as to bind against the same, and thereby retard the rotation of the wheel.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4- the dogs are arranged adjacent to the friction-band, so as to bear directly on the same, and are held normally toward each other by the springs M, secured on the inner face of the disk and curved to follow the inner edges of the dogs.

The operation of the device will, it is thought, be readily understood. In the normal position of the parts the spring or springs hold the dogs or pawls away from the frictionband projecting from the end of the hub. Should itbe desired to apply the brake and stop the wheel,the rock-shaft is oscillated so as to throw the ends of the cam against the ends of the dogs, therebyseparating them and forcing the dogs outward against or toward the friction-band, the rotation of which will be arrested by the frictional contact with the spring-band orthe dogs. Upon releasing the pressure on the rock-shaft the spring at once throws the ends of the dogs together, and consequently destroys the frictional contact with the band on the hub, so that the wheel is free to rotate. It will be noted that the device is extremely simple in its construction and op eration and is therefore not liable to get out of order. The outer surfaces of the several parts are free of angles or shoulders which might collect dust, and the operative parts are covered, so that dust and dirt cannot reach them and clog their operation. The brake be ing applied at the center of the wheel and having an extended bearing-surface, a slight movement of the brake-lever will prove effective, and wear on the tire is obviated.

' mally away fromTtHe friction-band.

2. In a vehicle-brake, the combination of a band projecting from the hub, a secured on the axle, dogs pivotally secured on said disk and :a'dapfid to bear against the said band, thejreeqends of the dogs being expanded laterally and provided with sh0u1ders,a spring or springs bearing against the said shoulders, I

a rock-shaft journaled in the disk and carrying a cam arranged between and bearing on the ends of the dogs, and means for oscillating the rock-shaft.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' MATHIAS ALTMEYER. Witnesses:

WILLIAM H. CLARK, CHARLES '1. REED. 

